EV uptake surges 178% in three years

New data by A-Plan Insurance has revealed the extent of EV uptake over the past few years.

Its research examined data from the last quarters of 2020, 2021 and 2022 and found that private ownership of hybrid electric vehicles has risen by 83% while ohile ownership of fully electric vehicles has risen by 178%.

At the same time, ownership has fallen over the past three years for traditional fuels like petrol and diesel.

The region with the highest increase in hybrid electric vehicles is Northern Ireland, with a 133% increase in ownership, while Wales has seen the highest increase of electric vehicle ownership, up 210% in the last three years.

A spokesperson for A-Plan Insurance said: “Electric and hybrid vehicles are becoming increasingly popular in the UK. With the government’s plan to ban new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030 and then to ban all new vehicles that do not have zero emissions by 2035, manufacturers have been increasing the options for low and zero-emission cars.

“Used vehicles have historically been a cheaper option for young drivers; however, car tax changes and increases in fuel prices have made older cars much more expensive to drive and maintain. On average, an electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle costs around £10-£15 less than an equivalent petrol journey; however, the upfront cost of an electric vehicle is much higher. Used hybrid and electric vehicles are available but come at a higher price than their petrol counterparts.

“Infrastructure improvements and financial grants to make hybrid or fully electric vehicles more appealing are essential to meet the zero emissions goals.”